Bodine was my internal guide for making this image. He stated one could take a photograph into the sun without blowing out the lights. One just had to choose the lowest angle of the sun's rise on a hazy morning. I submitted this image for my portfolio review. I was tickled pink to hear Adam Marelli, my portfolio reviewer, utter, "This is pretty good." "Sunrise on the fishing boats". (c) Rebecca LaChance, 2015, Cushing Maine.

I'm in the air on my way to another adventure. I spent the day before trekking through the woods for a commissioned photo. It was hot, muggy and some nasty bug had the moxie to bite me right under the eye. My right eye looks as if I've taken a header!

It reminded me that I'd gone out on the adventure without the proper preparations. I hadn't opened my "go bag" that I keep in the car and pull out the bug spray. So here's a revisit to the post about some preparations for outdoor photo sessions. Maybe I'll take my own advice the next time! (Ahahahahaha)

Finding Aubrey

The image below was taken on a very foggy morning. I briefly fancied the idea of a personal project about historic cemeteries in Maryland. My internet search about historic cemeteries led me to Bodine.

"The Ones We Love" (c) Rebecca LaChance, 2014. Emmitsburg, MD. (Available for purchase at the Main Street Thurmont Center, 11 Water Street, Thurmont.) This image started the internet search that led me to A. Aubrey Bodine and his work.

Bodine had worked as a photographer for the Baltimore Sunday Sun for 50 years. During those years he chronicled Maryland and his hometown, Baltimore. The majority of his Baltimore photos were taken within a four mile radius of his house.

A man after my own heart.

Three of Bodine's photography books, with bookmarks, in my personal library.

When perusing Bodine's full measure of work, it seems that he was the maker of every iconic image for the state of Maryland. His image, the now famous, "Clustered Spires of Frederick" has been the inspiration for hundreds, if not thousands, of paintings, post cards, and city logos.

Bodine was a true artist in every sense of the word. Several of his photographs from the Chesapeake Bay remind me of J.M.W.W. Turner's paintings. I might be making this up...yet, I seem to remember reading that Bodine placed himself for the perfect photograph - just as Turner had himself tied to the mast of a ship so he could experience/see the fullness of a storm.

Bodine kept a stock file of cloud negatives to add to his landscapes or water images. If the sky or clouds were not as dramatic as he desired in any given image, he would dub in clouds from his stock file. He was a self-taught master in the dark room, experimenting with chemical processes, painting in lightness or reflections that made improvements to his photographs.

And, this point leads to the correction of a fallacy about the "purity" of earlier photographs processed in a dark room. Every photographer, including Ansel Adams and his peers, perfected their visions in the dark room. This negative of James Dean from the famed Magnum group attests to how the dark room was, and is, only one more tool to improve an image.

Items I keep in the back of my car, thanks to the inspiration of Aubrey Bodine. I am missing the machete to chop down errant weeds and saplings that interfere with the line of a good image. The snow pants and case of bottled water came in handy while driving home through the beginnings of Blizzard 2016.

commonalities

Bodine studied "General Design"for two years, but never undertook a formal photography education. He learned through practice, experimentation and submitting images to competitions. He joined the Baltimore Camera Club in 1924. The club provided a forum for self-guided learning and theoretical discussions about processing and printing. He preferred early morning light. He would trek out at night, especially in rain and snow storms.

“Only an experienced photographer would know how to make a decent night picture, and get the lines straight, exposure correct, sufficient imagination to make it on a rainy night, and likewise protect his camera from the rain, and be skillful enough to watch the automobile traffic, especially from side streets." - A. Aubrey Bodine

His work, his excellence, his experiments are examples to all of us that a formalized program of photography education is not required to be an artful photographer. I feel kindred to Bodine's learning, style and practice. However, those two years of general design provided a structure for his compositions. Just as Bodine studied and used general design in his images, I continue to study and use principles of composition and design.

I do believe, as Bodine did, that an in-depth study (and it doesn't have to be formal, either) of general design is required. The concepts of general design will allow one to stretch beyond the limitations and boredom of "the rule of thirds" - a "rule" that is widely propagated throughout internet photography sites.

You can learn more about A. Aubrey Bodine, his images and his books here.

The Take-aways

1. Aubrey kept all the tools he might need for a photograph in the trunk of his car. (See photo of my car above). This obviously speaks to preparation. You might say, "the decision to make an image has already been made." I know I am more inclined to go out in the wee hours of the morning when everything is already in place. I don't have to make multiple trips from the house to the car, loading equipment. Essentially, the decision to make images has already been made; I just hop in the car and go.

What decisions do you need to pre-make for your images, art-making?

2. Bodine was not hampered by an excuse of "I don't have the proper photography education." He learned and improved his skills through repeated work, experimentation and a commitment to his artfulness. He directed his own learning.

A formal photography education is not required to be an artful photographer. However, a commitment to practice, learning and experimentation is required.

"It might be the hardest way - but it's the best way." - The Hubster

Until the next time...

May your week be easy.

Who inspires you and your art? Your comments and questions are welcome in the section below, or over on the Facebook page.

I bet you know someone who would like some inspiration. Forward this post to them and share on your social media.